Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The
last few hours of 2012 and then Tuesday, January 1, were the most hectic days I
can ever recall. “Is the country falling off a cliff?” “Will the United States
remain solvent in 2013 or will we go broke?” “Can we pay the national debt, can
we raise taxes, etc, etc.?” So much
shouting, passing the buck, and our Congressmen forgetting they have to support everyone
of their citizens.

Over
the holidays, I read the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Florida Today. Publications with four different dogmas and
it certainly made for fascinating reading. As I read each point of view, I found they all were correct. That is how I saw them!
After carefully studying each “opinion” I came to the following
conclusion: We, all of us, the
rank and file voters are at fault!

It
appears that we never expressed to our elected politicians the fact that they
represent everyAmerican
citizen, whether they voted for or against their election.

I
look back to the many years that I have been involved with our industry. I think of the many conferences I attended where I heard program proposals that were so
different and unusual. After discussions and sharing of ideas a
conclusion was usually reached. I always found the goal was to the benefit of everyone.

I
always look forward to the Medtrade Exhibitions. I try to sit in on as many
discussions, as many meetings and as many lectures that I can attend. I listen
to all the diverse ideas and points of view. I am impressed when I hear so many
different opinions.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Yesterday
(Monday 1/21/13) I sat in front of my TV from about 9:30 AM until it was time
to go to bed. I was never bored, not even for a minute! It was absolutely
thrilling!

My
first “inauguration” was way back in 1940 when I supported Wendell Willkie to
beat FDR. He and I both lost. But even as a young man I realized how important
the installation of the President of the United States (POTUS) can be. It
re-unites all of the citizens.

In
those days we did not have TV, radio was not very dominant, but the newspapers
were. I read all that the "adults" did and we learned! On the radio, Fox
Movietown News, and the many news publications, theinaugurationof the President of the United States was covered so
well. With today's television, however, I feel like I am actually IN the crowd cheering, rather than just looking on as an outsider.

We all can participate in the pomp and circumstance today, which is more enjoyable
than much of what is broadcast. The marching bands, the celebrities, the
millions of people following the processions and being thrilled when the Chief
Justice swears in the President. This is really what democracy and the United
States means, regardless of who you selected on your ballot.

The
beautiful thing about the inauguration is that it does not matter if the
candidate you supported was elected. What is important is that the Nation made
a decision. Now we must all work with the President to get the results we would
like to see.

I
will sum this up with the song we sing every week at my Rotary Club: “God
Bless America!”

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Preparation
will turn your hopes into success. During the holidays, on PBS TV in December,
there was a program about Oscar Hammerstein II. He delivered a very simple
message with his music and I know it is true: “Walk on, walk on, with
hope in your heart; and you’ll never walk alone; you’ll never walk alone.”

Your
DME/HME company is a team. You are the captain and your employees are members
of the squad. By working together, you and your operation will grow and expand.
New sales and better profits will be developed which is a direct result of
turning hope into action.

But
there is a second step. Your company also has to be a dues paying member of
both state DME and national associations. Remember you should never walk alone.
These each have to be partners with you and contributors to satisfy your hopes
and accomplish your ambitions.

Running
a company on “hope” is OK, if you only use that as a guide. Our industry faces
many challenges in 2013. But together with the associations they will provide
you with the ability to make things happen.Equally important is that you will be giving them the
necessary funds to help keep you in business.It is a win-win situation.

I
know that I have repeated this message over and over for many years. In my
defense I will state that I never ceased to support the state and national
organizations! Even though I am no longer an entrepreneur, I am very aware that
without the support they provided when I had my companies, I have no idea what
I would be doing today. You must
never walk alone!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Everything
you do, as you successfully operate your company, happens because when you saw
opportunities you made them happen.

Sir
Francis Bacon is quoted as saying: “A wise man will make more
opportunities than he finds.”He was a Renaissance author, courtier,
and father of inductive reasoning. I learned about him in Boy’s High School,
Brooklyn, in the early 1940’s. This quote has always remained deep in my mind.

Think
about what he said and recognize you each have the ability uncover
opportunities daily. The starting point is found in your new business plan for
2013.Place more emphasis on
working to expand your most successful programs from last year. Then see how you
can make those that did not meet your expectations into winners.

The
best tools available will be found in Las Vegas at the Spring Medrade Exhibition. Do your pre-show research and list those exhibitors you wish to
visit. Seeing which other companies featuring related products will be another
positive step.

Study
the list of speakers and lecturers who will be presenting at Medtrade. I have
spoken with many DME/HME dealers and they say it is very difficult to schedule
all the applicable ones.What
several entrepreneurs have done is bring key personnel to attend with them. The
additional cost of room and transportation for them is an investment. You will
get a fine ROI when you do this.

Plan
NOW so your company can participate the Spring Medtrade in Las Vegas and make
it into the best opportunity for 2013.

Friday, January 11, 2013

I
am always pleased when I hear from one of our readers. It is difficult to
describe the comfortable feeling it gives me when you ask me for information
and share ideas (321-25-3885 or shelly.prial@att.net)
So many good programs and projects that were successful have been described and
the results were all positive.

In
the previous blog I suggested that you offer to write and submit articles to
your local newspaper. The editor will always listen because this is a local
publication and you are a local businessman. The editor realizes many of their
readers will know you. This is why I say to be sure you are very careful not to
write things which might appear as an advertisement. However you should also
run an advertisement regularly in the local newspaper. I have done that and the
ROI was very good.

Request
that your ad be placed in an upper corner of the obituary page. Schedule your
ad to run for a 13-week period and for only one product. When I did this one of
the ads we ran was for a ride stair unit. The manufacturer provided the ad and
we had a nice success.

The
articles we submitted were prepared with a great deal of co-operation from my
vendors. They all understand and they will help you structure your article as a
way to improve the safety and comfort at home.

The
message I want to deliver is that a means of growing and expanding your
business is accomplished by earning recognition. Let your community know that
you are very concerned about them. Be active, join Rotary or join Kiwanis,
become a partner in your community and show your face.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Yes,
Medtrade Spring this year will be held at the largest convention center in Las
Vegas, 1.7 million square feet. It has never been as important as it is today
for DME/HME dealers and providers to take advantage of the changing economy and
where better to do that then at Medtrade!

This
year the exhibition is scheduled March 19-21. I am sitting at my desk reviewing
all of the new and exciting things that will be found in Las Vegas this spring.Wow!! I lost track of just how many
vendors will be displaying their wares, but at this moment it appears that
there will be more than 500 booths for dealers to visit.

What
I find even more exciting is that they will all be showing new and improved products
and more OTC cash sale opportunities. The vendors will be making themselves and
their sales people available to work with you both on the showroom floor and
when you return home. The manufacturer reps and their local salespeople will
provide the extra service from which to build. As they say: “ ask and you will
receive.” It is a win-win situation.

It
has never been more imperative as it is today to work and develop new OTC cash
sales, as well as protect what you currently have. 2013 will be a fantastic
year for DME/HME dealers and providers. The number of senior citizens is
growing faster than any other segment of our market. What makes them even more
important for DME/HME providers is that a great percentage of the senior
citizens have the necessary disposable funds to locate and purchase the comfort
items they want.

I
am sure that in your community there is a local newspaper. I suggest you speak
to the editor and offer to write a column with ideas those senior citizens and
their family caregivers would appreciate. This has to be done with great deal
of care so as not to appear as an advertisement. I have seen this done in many
different locations and the good will this develops will result in good
recognition for your company.

So
make your reservation now to be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center
in Las Vegas for Medtrade Spring!

Monday, January 7, 2013

We
failed in our efforts to bring a new bill to Congress, which would have been
the replacement legislation to the “Competitive Bid” we work under daily.

There
was a new Congress sworn in last week (1/3/13) and the chairmen of the various
committees may be changed so we must get new legislation on the floor offered
STAT. To protect our business and our customers, please start at once to
contact every Representative, new or re-elected, particularly those who
indicated their support to MPP.Ask them to re-introduce HR6490.

Please
contact your Representative if he or she had agreed to support MPP. Ask them to
restart their efforts behalf of your clientele and of course, you. The sooner
you speak up, the more promptly the needed new legislation will come.Ask your state and national association
for the literature they have prepared and use it to help bring this legislation
back

PLEASE
DO THIS AT ONCE.The industry came
very close to getting HR6490 out of committee, but the holidays came and all
our good work came to naught. Need I say more?

If
you can provide any information about any harm or damage resulting from the
“Competitive Bid” in your community, please send that to me or to your state
and national association. I read, see and hear the same difficulties the
beneficiaries have suffered. However when I receive the local problems you and
your customers have experienced, these can used to our advantage.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

As
I mentioned in my previous blog you have to prepare your plans for 2013. Today, my thoughts are for my country, the United States of America.

I
am satisfied that DME/HME providers and dealers will enter this year, 2013
filled with excitement and anticipation for a great twelve months. It will
happen and I am aware that your effort will achieve that accomplishment!

The
problem I see is that we have allowed our country to divide into two factions,
each of whom feel that only they know what to do! This is wrong! How
fantastic it would be if the legislators could sit down and work for all of us,
not just only for their supporters? Senators and congressmen represent
everyone, all their electorate.

They
can do the same thing that I always ask for DME/HME providers within our industry to do. I recommend that we all join our state and national associations and work
together to develop one strong voice ASAP.
So must our country.

Surely
our politicians are intelligent enough to recognize how much they would
accomplish if they sat down together and cherry-picked the best from one
another.

Let
them all abide by the Pledge of Allegiance which should be the guide: “I
pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty
and Justice for all.” The last
two words of the pledge are the key: “for all”! Let us never forget
that!

So
God bless America and God bless us all! Workingtogether, republicans, democrats, all
citizens, and the United States of America will continue to lead the world.

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Shelly Prial

I began my career in 1950 when I graduated from Brooklyn College of Pharmacy. I spent 16 years in retail pharmacy and owned and operated four different pharmacies during this period. It was in the early 1950s that I became interested in durable medical equipment and oxygen services. My pharmacy was one of the first to offer DME and oxygen supplies.
I worked for various companies in the industry and after a few years, I became a manufacturer’s rep. It was there, working with many dealers that the idea of developing a co-op for DME providers developed. My wife and I started the Homecare Providers Co-op (HPC) in 1986 and that proved to be the most exciting period of my career.
After I “retired” some years ago, I found it necessary to stay active. I am proud that I worked for Graham-Field Health Products as their Director of Government Relations.
As a consultant and Medtrade Ambassador, my goal now is to see if I can bring our industry together to work as a team and become formidable.
I am proud to say that I have been married to Thelma since 1950. We have two children and four grandchildren. And, a fun fact? I have attended every Medtrade show since it began in 1979!